Stretchy.org: How to make a catsuit 1: measurement & scaling

[BeDifferentBeBrave]

ah i want to make one but im to scared haha x

[CYANid111]

Nice, now I can make my Spiderman suit

[theiran]

Hey sleek. Can't I just have you in in a catsuit, squeezing that nice bum of yours? :-)

[sleekweasel]

@theiran Haha, I don't know how long the queue is these days, and my wife shows no inclination of leaving first place.

[mannymarz]

can i make one out of pvc?

[sleekweasel]

@mannymarz You can, but stretch PVC isn't typically as stretchy as athletic lycra or velour, so you probably don't want to eliminate the centre-front seam. You need 4-way stretch (both vertical and horizontal stretch).

[sleekweasel]

It's the difference between each measurement and the one below it: 117 + 81 = 198. 198 + 99 = 297, etc.

It just means you can plot from each point to the next, rather than having to have a measure that's as long as your body.

[darkfantasea]

I'm not sure what the yellow part means. What I'm I subtracting to get +81 and so forth?

[Vik456]

thanks! and thanks for all the info on the website! 10stars!

[Arlanet]

Thank you SO much for making a tutorial like this in words and video format! I am making a costume that requires a custom made catsuit and this is just a life saver. Now I just need to find time to complete it in the next couple of months. :D

[sleekweasel]

@Arlanet You're very welcome. All the best with your costume!

[RukiaFujioka]

It's probably because I'm a real novice, but I'm already confused on the measurements. When you measure your body, how do you fit everything all together? And what's with the difference with the measurement with the arm raised or not? which one do you use?

[sleekweasel]

You fit it together using the process given in the other related videos in this series. That also explains how you use the arm length measurements. The difference is usually about two inches.

[sleekweasel]

You're very welcome, and thanks for the feedback.

I'm glad you've been able to make your costume, and photos of it would be welcome - send them via the contact page on stretchy(dot)org and let me know whether you're OK with me posting them to the gallery or not.

Cheers.

[Elfenlaide]

Thanks, Sleek. I found your tutorial incredibly useful. A cosplay suit that would have meant an impossibility because of monetary value can now be done thanks to you! I'll be sure to send you photos of it and relate to this whenever I can, it's the least I can do (though if you don't want to receive the photos, that's OK too (: )

[LuckyElement7]

This is wonderful! You are quite funny too. :)

[sleekweasel]

Heehee, thanks. :)

[gloriousmandestroya]

Hiya! I have a question, why is it you have to make such precise measurements for spandex? Cause when you by a catsuit they come in only a few sizes, including one fits all. I mean I don't have to measure so much for structured non-stretch material. I would think that a pattern can be put together based on height and weight.

[sleekweasel]

Glorious: since these instructions involve making a pattern, whose measurements would you rather use? :) This is how I do it: it gets the best fit I've found in any catsuit I've tried, and I can tweak things to my own tastes.

The 'one size fits all' lie is the difference between bespoke and off-the-peg: the commercial catsuits I bought by weight and height had thighs and wrists too thin, belly too big, fragile seams, zip, etc.

It is enough that I can get them on? No: 'fit' means comfortable.

[distorteddestiny754]

oh and you dont use a pattern should i just go buy one from fabricland ?? i dunno but i must make this

[sleekweasel]

DistortedDestiny - Catsuits are one of the easiest things to make: there are few seams, and the fabric stretches to hide slight errors in cutting.

I do use a pattern - the first few videos in this sequence is about making the pattern; the last few are about cutting and sewing the fabric.

For cat-girl costumes, consider looking for fansites of the musical 'Cats' - Google for: cats fan works.

I have used no commercial patterns successfully, except thegreenpepper(dot)com's adult racing suit.

[distorteddestiny754]

hello im so glad i found this!!! i need to make a catsuit and it looks really hard is this fairly easy to make cuz im just a beginner im making a costum for halloween its called nariya eriya from escaflowne theres a video somewhere on youtube of it its like a cat girl costume so ya i dont know if im able to make this please help me thank you!!!

[sleekweasel]

Heehee, thanks, I'm glad you like it.

I'd make the joke about being availble for bar mitzvahs, but I'm too busy looking for a girlfriend. :)

[Rockoloid]

This tutorial is so great. Thank you! And by the way, you are hilarious.

[ItsNami]

indof an awkward question, but what undergarments do you reccommend for a girl?

[sleekweasel]

I'm not an expert in that field, I'm afraid, although I vaguely know women have to be pickier about their underwear than guys.

To camouflage Visible Panty Line - to take the easier topic - you can either make the suit from something that distracts from those lines due to fabric print or texture, or go for thin undergarments whose edges follow natural lines on your body. Oh, or wear combinations that smooth out the lines.

Maybe a sports bra and leggings?

Not sure I've helped much there.

[sleekweasel]

I've abruptly realised that the 'flat chest width' is much more easily described as 'the distance between your nipples, if you're a bloke'. Ladies - you'll have to imagine that you're a bloke and estimate. :)

[sleekweasel]

Heh, cheers. I should probably put 'as seen on TV' now, having been on 'What Not To Wear' in one of these things recently. ;)

[FrozenExplosion]

ha, well just when i thought id seen it all, once again, you never know what goes on behind closed doors, 5 stars!!

[decoupagedish]

Thank you very much for these excellent videos!

[sleekweasel]

You're very welcome, and it'd great to hear or see what it's helped you do!

You might also want to visit the website mentioned in the title, where similar information is available in a static form.

[sleekweasel]

Well, I'm glad to be helpful. Here's hoping I'll find the time to make the final few, shortly.

[oddbawl85]

Thank you sooooo much for this video! You have no idea how helpful it is!